RussianFederation–MoscowSchoolofCivicEducation(1992)

The Moscow School of Civic Education (known until 2014 as the Moscow School of Political Studies) appeared in the public sphere in 1992, as an independent non-government non-profit organisation founded with the support of the Council of Europe. The School’s mission is, and always has been, to encourage the creation of a modern state based on the rule of law, the efficient functioning of democratic institutions and the encouragement of civic initiatives in Russia.

“For 25 years now we have been implementing our educational project because of what we believe: that active engagement in civil life is a way of being; the kind of being that allows us to realise something - something no less important than realising our calling. It is what allows us to realise ourselves - and by realising ourselves, it allows us to engage with and deal with the complexities of modern life and the life of a modern state as free, responsible people. It is in this that I see the meaning and calling of our School and the other Schools of Political Studies of the Council Europe - in education, civic enlightenment, and the nurturing of responsible citizens, free and able to think globally and act locally.”

Elena NEMIROVSKAYA, Director

About the School

The mission of the School is to assist young individuals in understanding the fundamental concepts of the rule of law with and civil society as its partner. The School believes this aim can only be achieved through civic education. They welcome representatives from the media, NGOs, culture, education, business, and young civil leaders to join them in the pursuit of new knowledge and in their efforts to create sustainable development for all nations, regions, societies and countries.

The activities of the School aim to promote the accomplishments of national and global philosophical and social thinking, as well as to better understand the experiences of the government, media and civil society institutions.

For all the School’s projects the following aims are relevant:

- promoting civic values

- contributing to the understanding of the principles of rule of law

- pushing for developments in public discussions.

Participants of the School are offered the unique opportunity of talking face-to-face with some of the most eminent Russian and international experts. The School does not provide ad hoc answers; the aim is rather to create an intellectual milieu and a special environment during discussions, which would encourage participants to exchange ideas, information and experiences, and to further promote the best civic practices in the Russian regions.

About the Director

The School’s Founder and Director, Dr Elena Nemirovskaya, holds PhDs in the Theory of Art and Philosophy from USSR Academy of Sciences. In her early career, she worked at the Moscow Research Insitute of Theory and History of Art, publishing over 100 articles. Prior to establishing the Moscow School of Political Studies, Elena Nemirovskaya was a correspondent for the French magazine L’Express in the 1990s, where she covered Russia’s transition to democracy. During this time she also served as the editor-in-chief of the Information Center for Cultural and Social Affairs in Moscow. Witnessing firsthand the coup against Mikhail Gorbachev, she determined to devote herself to imbuing potential public figures with the values of democracy, human rights and public spiritedness. The Council of Europe provided her with its first grant in Russia and the “School” began with a group of 25 participants. Over the next 25 years, over 15,000 members of the federal and regional parliaments and city councils, journalists, businessmen, and leaders of non-governmental organizations would graduate from the School. The work of the School has also been recognised by many governments in the West; Elena Nemirovskaya has been awarded an OBE by the British government; the Hiroshima Foundation Award for Peace and Culture; the Polish Medal Bene Merito; the Council of Europe’s Pro Merito Medal and is an Officer of the French National Order of Merit.